The royal couple have thanked British media outlets for not publishing unauthorized images, but, despite this, "paparazzi photographers are going to increasingly extreme lengths to observe and monitor Prince George's movements and covertly capture images of him to sell to the handful of international media titles still willing to pay for them," writes Jason Knauf, the royal couple's press secretary, in the statement.

What's particularly disturbing is what prompted the official letter.

Last week, according to Knauf, one photographer was discovered by police in a rented car parked near an area where Prince George plays. Not only had he hung sheets inside the car, he had also brought a large quantity of food and drinks and was hiding in the car's trunk using a long lens to take pictures through a small opening.

In addition, other paparazzi have been accused of hiding in sand dunes on the beach while Prince George played with grandmother Carole Middleton, while others have reportedly used other children to "draw Prince George into view around playgrounds."

The royal couple, Knauf continues, have been happy to share official images of Prince George and younger sister Princess Charlotte "to thank the public for the thousands of kind messages of support they have received," and they have allowed news photographers opportunities to photograph the kids and will continue to do so as they grow.

That said, personal safety is a pressing concern.

"The worry is that it will not always be possible to quickly distinguish between someone taking photos and someone intending to do more immediate harm," reads the statement.